# Copy and share this on your wall or you don't support my cause du jour! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 27, 2016, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858 "2016-05-27T22:42:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/1 "2016-05-27T22:42:24Z")
I bet I know who my friends are, and they will comment on this important cause, and then copy and post this on their wall for one hour, so all their pyramid-loving friends can do the same and then we’ll all know who is part of the really awesome save the capybaras crowd, and who just doesn’t give a shit about this really awesome cause that affects us all and I just know you’re awesome. Sorry. I refuse to participate in ANY of these stupid fucking self-aggrandizing spam-fests. I also will never participate in a Facebook or Internet petition, because THEY DON’T FUCKING WORK! Should this be in The Pit? Move it if you want. I don’t give a shit! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/2 "2016-05-27T22:46:42Z")
Why do you hate capybaras?? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/3 "2016-05-27T23:16:07Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Why do you hate capybaras?? I don’t. I don’t give a shit about them though, or any other “copy and paste to your wall bullshit.” PS - No capybaras were hurt in this post. ---
**Author:** ![Canadjun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/76d3ee/32.png) [@Canadjun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Canadjun)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/4 "2016-05-27T23:19:20Z")
> [@](#): > > So sad! Please put this on your status if you know someone or are related to someone who suffers from stupidity. We all need to understand that stupidity is real and should be taken seriously. You could be sitting next to a sufferer right now. There is still no known cure for stupidity & sympathy does not help. But we can raise awareness. 87.365% won’t re-post this because they don’t know how to copy & paste. xxxxxxx ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/5 "2016-05-27T23:24:01Z")
On a semi-related note, why do some of these posts specify copy/paste and NOT share? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/6 "2016-05-27T23:29:27Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > On a semi-related note, why do some of these posts specify copy/paste and NOT share? I have absolutely no idea, however one of my recent ones specifically provided those exact instructions. ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2016, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/7 "2016-05-27T23:38:08Z")
Can we move this beyond Social Media to real life as well? The world nowadays is full of Causes Du Jour that I truly, genuinely either do not give a shit about (or even am actively opposed to, in some cases.) My complete lack of fucks over the plight of the Mexican Staring Frog of Southern Sri Lanka doesn’t make me a horrible person, just as I don’t think you’re an inhuman monster for not caring about the things I do care about. It’s time for people to stop Compassion Shaming, as I believe the social justice warriors at my local internets would say. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2016, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/8 "2016-05-28T00:01:47Z")
Sure. Let’s make this about all these well-to-do groups that will never make any kind of minuscule dent in their cause because you bought a bumper sticker or stuffed a couple bucks in a ceramic panda’s ass. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2016, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/9 "2016-05-28T01:02:09Z")
I was in a long line at PDQ. _Finally_ got to hand the clerk my cash. Clerk: “Do you want to give a dollar for breast cancer?” Me (immediately and indignantly): **"Hell, no, I _hate_ breast cancer!"** ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2016, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/10 "2016-05-28T01:06:39Z")
If you quote this post of mine in your reply, you’ll see an amazing picture appear. Try it! ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2016, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/11 "2016-05-28T01:18:00Z")
Was this about cancer? I don’t actually have a Facebook account, but my wife does (though she doesn’t use it) and we share an email address. I saw in today’s emails that there was a post from a friend of ours, beginning something like “Most of you won’t do this, but…” Curious, I opened the post and it was all about cancer, just like you described, down to not “sharing” but copy/pasting. He’s a good guy. I wouldn’t have thought he’d disseminate such crap. Anyway, it made me realize two things: first, I really should quit opening Facebook-post-related emails, and second, boy was it a good decision not to get a Facebook account of my own. ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2016, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/12 "2016-05-28T01:26:32Z")
That’s what the “unfollow/unfriend” options are for. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2016, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/13 "2016-05-28T02:17:37Z")
> [@spamforbrains](#): > > That’s what the “unfollow/unfriend” options are for. Yeah, but some of them are, in the most part decent – albeit possibly distant – friends, and then this shit hits the “wall.” I have to ask myself why? Do they really think that a Facebook post will bring about a revolution? Of course it won’t: so why? Why participate in this ridiculous charade? Nothing will happen. Nothing! When’s the last time you heard of a Facebook poll changing policy, for anything! Put the gun down and walk away. Your little pipsqueak voice ain’t gonna do shit. At least in real voting your vote does indeed add to the total and make a difference. Facebook polls and shares don’t do ANYTHING. ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2016, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/14 "2016-05-28T02:20:58Z")
> [@](#): > > Facebook polls and shares don’t do ANYTHING. You sure about that? Most companies and some politicians monitor Facebook. If they see a lot of displeasure about something, they might change their policies. I have no proof either way, but it’s possible. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2016, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/15 "2016-05-28T03:36:45Z")
> [@spamforbrains](#): > > You sure about that? Most companies and some politicians monitor Facebook. If they see a lot of displeasure about something, they might change their policies. I have no proof either way, but it’s possible. Well, this begs for the response: “cite.” ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2016, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/16 "2016-05-28T03:47:21Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > If you quote this post of mine in your reply, you’ll see an amazing picture appear. > > Try it! Woah! The colours, man; the _colours_! ---
**Author:** ![spamforbrains](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@spamforbrains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spamforbrains)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2016, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/17 "2016-05-28T03:47:50Z")
saying I have no proof either way kind of implies I have no cite. However, it does seem to influence behavior, see part about organ donation: [http://today.law.harvard.edu/experts-explore-how-social-networks-can-influence-behavior-and-decision-making-video/](http://today.law.harvard.edu/experts-explore-how-social-networks-can-influence-behavior-and-decision-making-video/) ---
**Author:** ![Martini\_Enfield](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/martini_enfield/32/11123_2.png) [@Martini\_Enfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martini_Enfield)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2016, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/18 "2016-05-28T04:21:21Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Yeah, but some of them are, in the most part decent – albeit possibly distant – friends, and then this shit hits the “wall.” I have to ask myself why? Do they really think that a Facebook post will bring about a revolution? > > Of course it won’t: so why? Why participate in this ridiculous charade? Nothing will happen. Nothing! I’ve asked people straight up why they’re participating in obvious nonsense and their responses, without exception, have been an indignant “Well, I wanted to do something about [cause/issue]!” - with a clear implication _I’m_ the asshole for pointing out the absurdity of the situation, not them for engaging in pointless tree-hugging bullshit. No-one has _ever_ said “You know what? You’re right; changing my status on a social media platform isn’t going to do anything. I’m a noob. Thanks for setting me straight, I owe you a drink now.” ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2016, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/19 "2016-05-28T14:16:51Z")
But what about the poor capybaras? Hasn’t the Facebook activity led to hordes of Facebookers hunting for them in the wilds of Toronto? ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2016, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858/20 "2016-05-28T15:42:58Z")
These attempts to emotionally hijack you into publicly showing support for the cause of the day are bad enough, but I recently became aware of an even worse phenomenon. FB “friends” can add you to a FB group without your permission. If you’re not observant, you may not even notice that they’ve done this, and your group memberships are displayed in your profile! I recently had someone add me to a “support law enforcement” type group. Now of course I support law enforcement, but this was a reactionary “blue lives matter” kind of group so I quit it. Why does FB make it possible for people to do this? It forces you to choose between publicly showing support for things someone else thinks you should support, or giving the impression to a friend or family member that you don’t support law enforcement or whatever. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/copy-and-share-this-on-your-wall-or-you-dont-support-my-cause-du-jour/755858.md?page=2)